The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Dorian Finney-Smith with a midseason trade in December, adding the forward to their rotation to provide high-level frontcourt 3-and-D play. Finney-Smith’s box score stats might say he’s been average, but anyone watching the Lakers can see how impactful he’s been, primarily defensively.
After the Lakers’ 107-96 win over the Phoenix Suns, primarily won with an excellent defensive showing, Finney-Smith used a shark analogy to explain his on-court mindset to the media.
“I’m a shark— I kill just cause, not cause I’m hungry.”
Finney-Smith said this coming off a 10-point (3-7 FG) performance where the Lakers ended a four-game losing streak.
While he’s not a naturally talented scorer, his defense has metronomic consistency. His presence is one of the main reasons behind the Lakers having the best defense in the NBA over the last 30 games (111.9 DEF rating).
He’s averaging 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds since joining the Lakers. He’s the perfect wing complement for Luka Doncic, with the pair already spending four-and-a-half seasons together on the Dallas Mavericks, making a run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals together.
Their chemistry is another factor behind the Lakers’ recent success.
Finney-Smith is trying to prove to JJ Redick why he needs to be a full-time starter right now, as both Rui Hachimura and LeBron James are out injured. While obviously Dorian can’t keep LeBron out of the starting lineup, it might be in the Lakers’ best interests to start with the defensive-minded Finney-Smith ahead of Hachimura as the Playoffs draw near.
Dorian is also a terrific option for a small-ball five, as he can help stretch the floor while having the defensive chops to lock down most options. While it’s not an ideal option, it’s good to have the choice in the Playoffs especially with Jaxson Hayes being the only playable center on the Lakers rotation.
Dorian Finney-Smith Wants To Give Energy To The Lakers
Many fans who follow box scores might not have been aware of what a useful player Finney-Smith can be on a contending roster. Not only is he a positive on-court contributor, but he’s also gritty and gives energy to his teammates on the court.
Prior to the Lakers’ making the Luka Doncic trade, Finney-Smith highlighted his role as being the energy-giver of the Lakers.
“I try to be an energy giver. So I just don’t shut up. I just talk. And I’m gonna make sure you hear my voice as much as I can. And it can’t be [LeBron James]… doing the talking. (He’s the) One who gotta make the decisions. They got a lot of stuff [to handle]. So the rest of us can be the energy givers.”
He’s given a lot to the Lakers already, fully integrating himself into the team’s style of play through the last three months. Now, he hopes to be a crucial contributor for a Playoff push by the franchise.
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